Intro:
WrestleMania X-Seven took place on April 1, 2001 at the Astrodome in Houston, TX. This show was at the height of the WWF’s popularity at the turn of the century and is generally considered one of the best PPV events in the history of the company. This show, which marked the return of WrestleMania to a stadium, was highlighted by a WWF Title Match between The Rock and Steve Austin.
The Rock vs Austin:
For the second time in three years, Austin vs The Rock headlined WrestleMania. Like last time, The Rock went in as champ but this time both men were good guys. This was a classic battle that was decided in the most surprising way. Vince McMahon helped his arch-nemesis Steve Austin beat The Rock. The next night The Rock was suspended as a way to write him off the show so he could promote The Mummy 2.
The War is Over:
On the RAW before this show, the most amazing site took place. The WWE had purchased the WCW and a feed of the final Nitro was shown on RAW and vice versa. As part of an angle, Shane McMahon snuck in and bought WCW from AOL-Time Warner that night as a way to increase the heat for the battle against his dad at WrestleMania.
Shane vs Vince:
For the first time in WrestleMania history, a father battled his son. They fought over the treatment of Linda McMahon. Vince was humiliating her and had her in a very medicated state while he was fooling around with Trish Stratus. During this match, Linda faked her medicated state and kicked her husband in the grapefruits which allowed her son to get the victory.
A Bunch of Great Matches:
This card had several great matches on it. The Triple h vs Undertaker battle might be the best Undertaker match in his WrestleMania career. The TLC battle for the tag team titles had an incredible spot that featured Edge deliver his spear off one of the ladders onto Jeff Hardy who was hanging from the belts on the cable. The Chris Benoit vs Kurt Angle match was a scientific classic and The Gimmick Battle Royal brought back a lot of memories.
The Aftermath:
Steve Austin and Triple H became tag team partners and ran roughshod over the WWF until Triple H injured his quad. The short lived XFL started up a few weeks later. A few months later the WCW Invasion angle happened and it turned out to be a huge disappointment to most fans. Business then went down due to a combination of bad storylines and the economic condition of the country due to the burst of the stock market bubble and the terrible events of 9/11.
Random Facts:
- The Rock vs Austin rematch is the only time that two WrestleMania events ended with the same match.
- Austin’s title win tied him with Hulk Hogan as being the only men to win the title 3 times at WrestleMania.
- Steve Austin never entered the ring as WWF Champion at any WrestleMania.
- The Rock has never left the ring as WWF Champion at any WrestleMania.
- Edge and Christian became the first tag team to win the titles in back to back WrestleMania events.
Match Results:
- I-C Title: Champ Chris Jericho beat William Regal
- The APA & Tazz beat The Right to Censor
- Hardcore Title: Kane beat champ Raven & Big Show to win the title
- European Title: Eddie Guerrero beat Test to win the title
- Kurt Angle beat Chris Benoit
- Women's Title: Chyna beat Ivory to win the title
- Street Fight: Shane McMahon beat Vince McMahon
- TLC match for Tag Team Title: Edge & Christian beat champs The Dudley Boyz & The Hardy Boyz to win the title
- Gimmick Battle Royal: The Iron Sheik by last eliminating Hillbilly Jim
- The Undertaker beat Triple H
- WWF Title: Steve Austin beat the Rock to win the WWF title
